Wilderness First Aid is an important skill for anyone who spends time in the mountains. Even hikers, climbers, and skiers who do short day trips can quickly find a situation that has turned disastrous without basic wilderness first aid skills. We run two types of wilderness first aid courses – a basic and an advanced. The reasons for taking one program or another vary by individual but there are a few important distinctions. The Wilderness First Responder Course is the standard for outdoor professionals but is also recommended for adventurers who spend a lot of time in the backcountry where emergency response time is not immediate. Patient stabilization by using resources at your fingertips is an essential skill.
The Wilderness Remote Responder will give participants basic first aid skills to address wilderness medical emergencies and is the minimum recommended training for anyone who spends time outdoors.
The 80 Hour Advanced Adventure Medic Program is one of only two Wilderness First Aid Courses that is recognized by Alberta Workplace Health and Safety as an Advanced First Aid Certificate. We believe this speaks to the high-quality curriculum, instructors, and materials that are utilized to deliver this training. Before choosing what training is appropriate for you it is important to familiarize yourself with the certification levels in addition to the skills learned.
Advanced Adventure Medic – Wilderness First Responder
Most outdoor professionals will require this course as a condition of employment. The course is considered an advanced 80-hour wilderness first aid course. We deliver this course over a 10 day period. It is a significant investment in your outdoor training.
The following topics are covered in detail: patient assessment, body systems, environmental injuries, anaphylaxis, extrication, patient carries, backcountry medicine, and CPR.
In most cases, simulation is used as a teaching method. The course is mandatory for outdoor professionals and is recommended for recreationalists who lead trips or who are in the backcountry for days or weeks at a time and may be required to care for a patient over an extended period.
This course is hosted by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures and taught by Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine. This program is recognized by Alberta Occupational Health & Safety as an Advanced First Aid certificate – see course details. This is an important distinction that you should understand before signing up for any certificate program. Please do your research on what is required for professional certification.
Adventure Medic – 40 hour
This 40-hour course is designed for those who take on a leadership role in the outdoors. This is the industry standard for those who lead custodial groups in the backcountry, teachers, raft guides, and trip leaders. This certification is required by many companies, school boards, camps, and youth organizations.
Adventure Medic Recertification
Recertify your 40-hour Adventure Medic or 40-hour Wilderness First Aid Certification. We run recertification courses on several dates in the shoulder seasons.
Wilderness Remote Responder
The ‘Weekend Warrior’ will find this course invaluable. Not everyone is able to do the 80-hour course so we developed the basic level of curriculum to give the recreationalist the essential information. While this is recognized as a basic first aid course, there is a big difference between wilderness and urban first aid. We attempt to make that distinction in this course and introduce you to wilderness first-aid concepts.
After this course, your certificate will be recognized by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety as a Standard First Aid Certificate.
The outdoor industry standard for first aid is the 80 hour Wilderness First Responder course. Recreationalists will find this course invaluable – especially those who spend considerable time in the backcountry.
The Wilderness Remote Responder (20 hr) will give you a base level of knowledge. A minor issue can quickly become a serious issue without some level of wilderness first aid.
